Single-Tooth Dental Implants & Implant Crowns: A Step-by-Step Guide in Riverview, FL
When One Missing Tooth Feels Like a Big Deal
A single missing tooth can change the way you chew, speak, and smile. Bridges and partials help, but **a single-tooth dental implant topped with a custom implant crown is the gold standard for a reason: it protects adjacent teeth, preserves bone, and looks indistinguishable from the real thing. Here’s exactly what to expect—timeline, comfort, cost, and maintenance—when you choose an implant crown in Riverview.
What Is a Single-Tooth Implant?
A dental implant is a small titanium (or titanium-alloy) post that replaces the tooth root. After it fuses with your jawbone (osseointegration), we attach an abutment and a custom crown. The result stands on its own—no drilling the neighbors like a traditional bridge.
Benefits at a Glance
- Natural look and feel. Color-matched porcelain or zirconia crown blends right in.
- Bone preservation. The implant gently stimulates bone like a real root.
- Tooth-friendly. Neighboring teeth stay untouched and healthier long-term.
- Durable. With proper care, implants can last decades; the crown itself may be replaced after many years of service due to normal wear.
The Timeline (What Happens When)
- Consultation & 3D imaging. We review your medical history and take a cone-beam CT to plan ideal implant position and size.
- Site prep (if needed). If the tooth was recently extracted, we may place bone graft material to preserve the socket for perfect positioning later.
- Implant placement. The area is thoroughly numbed; a small opening is made; the implant is placed with precise torque control. Most patients describe pressure/vibration—not pain—during placement.
- Healing & integration (8–16 weeks typically). You’ll wear a temporary solution (a small flipper, Essex retainer, or temp crown depending on the site).
- Abutment & impression/scan. Once the implant is solid, we attach the abutment and take a digital scan for your custom crown.
- Final crown delivery. Your dentist checks the contact points, bite, and shade; then the crown is secured (screw-retained or cemented based on case needs).
- Follow-ups & maintenance. Simple: brush, floss (or use floss-threaders/water flossers), and attend routine cleanings.
For many Riverview patients, this journey is smoother and more comfortable than expected. At Best Value Dentures & Implants, your clinical team uses modern techniques to make implant placement efficient and practically painless; bone tissue itself has no pain receptors, and local anesthetic keeps you comfortable.
How Much Does a Single Implant with a Crown Cost?
Fees vary based on site complexity (front vs. molar), need for grafting, and materials. National averages run into a few thousand dollars for the surgical post plus the abutment/crown. Locally, Best Value Dentures & Implants – Riverview keeps implant dentistry accessible through competitive pricing, a Best Price Guarantee on implants, and monthly financing options to fit your budget. During your free consultation, you’ll receive a clear, line-item estimate—no surprises.
What If I’m Not a Candidate Right Away?
Most healthy adults are candidates. If the site has been missing for a long time, minor bone grafting can rebuild volume and create a stable foundation. Smokers and patients with uncontrolled diabetes can still succeed with careful planning and good home care—your dentist will personalize recommendations.
Crown Choices: Porcelain vs. Zirconia
- Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM): Time-tested, esthetic, strong; may show a thin metal margin if gums recede.
- Monolithic zirconia: Very strong, chip-resistant; outstanding for molars or heavy biters.
- Layered ceramics: Beautiful translucency for front teeth; your dentist will balance esthetics and strength.
Daily Life with Your Implant Crown
- Eat what you love. After the initial healing period, you can enjoy a broad diet—just be sensible (no ice chewing).
- Clean like a tooth. Brush twice daily and clean under the crown with floss or water-flossing.
- Protect it. If you grind at night, ask about a custom guard to safeguard all your teeth (and your investment).
Riverview Next Steps
Bring your questions (and any past X-rays if you have them) to a free consultation. You’ll get a 3D scan, a personalized timeline, and financing options that make an implant crown realistic now, not “someday.”
Call (813) 568-1118 or visit us at 10555 Bloomingdale Ridge Dr, Riverview, FL 33578. Ask about the Best Price Guarantee on implants and flexible monthly plans.